Spring 2023 Orientation
SIS will host a required Orientation for new graduate students on Friday, January 13.
More information, including how to RSVP, will be shared later this fall. Stay tuned!
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Graduate Advising 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016 United StatesFull-time graduate students usually take 9 credit hours per semester, typically three, 3-credit courses.
Part-time graduate students (including those working full-time) usually take 6 credit hours per semester.
First semester students are not recommended to register for more than 9 credit hours.
Please note that international students holding F-1 or J-1 visas must be registered full-time at 9 credit hours.
All students with university merit awards (scholarships and assistantships) should refer to their admissions/award letter for specific registration requirements of their individual award. In order to be eligible for U.S. federal loan aid, students must be registered at least half-time (5 credit hours in the fall/spring semesters; 2 credit hours in the summer).
For examples of full-time and part-time degree sequencing, you may review the Sample Degree Timelines.
First-semester students in the Comparative and Regional Studies program are encouraged to take:
Dani Hix is the academic advisor for CRS.
Students in Development Management (DM) typically satisfy their core requirements in their first semesters and focus on their areas of concentration and the Action Research Practicum in their final semester(s). DM students who begin in the spring semester are encouraged to take:
*There are two required economics courses for DM students:
ECON-603 is waived for DM students who pass the SIS Economics Placement Exam. If ECON-603 is waived, the degree is reduced from 42 credits to 39. All DM students are required to take SIS-731 Economic Development. Visit the SIS Graduate Advising website for more information regarding the SIS Economics Placement Exam.
Dani Hix is the academic advisor for DM
First semester students in the Ethics, Peace and Human Rights program are encouraged to register three of the following (if full-time) or two of the following (if part-time) :
Heidi Holland is the academic advisor for EPHR.
First semester students in the Global Environmental Politics program are encouraged to register three of the following (if full-time) or two of the following (if part-time):
*Students should consult the Spring 2023 GEP Courses of Interest list for approved methods, natural science, and “choose one” courses.
Mike Rosenberger is the academic advisor for the GEP program.
First semester students in the Global Governance, Politics, and Security program are encouraged to take:
When selecting an economics course, please note that all GGPS students must complete SIS-616: International Economics. SIS-616: Int’l Economics requires prior experience with micro- and macroeconomics. Students must either pass the SIS Economics Placement Exam or complete ECON-603: Intro to Economics Theory prior to taking SIS-616: Int’l Economics. Visit the SIS Graduate Advising website for more information regarding the SIS Economics Placement Exam.
3. An approved course in your chosen concentration
Students can find the list of approved concentration courses here: GGPS Approved Concentration Courses.
Mike Rosenberger is the academic advisor for the GGPS program.
First semester students in the International Affairs Policy and Analysis (IAPA) program are encouraged to take:
Students can find the list of approved competency courses here: IAPA competency courses. Students interested in beginning their concentrations are encouraged to schedule a brief meeting with their advisor to discuss their interests.
Jessica MacArthur is the academic advisor for IAPA.
First semester students in the Intercultural and International Communication program are encouraged to take three of the following (if full-time), or two of the following (if part-time):
Heidi Holland is the academic advisor for IC.
Students in International Development (ID) typically satisfy their core requirements in their first semesters and focus on their Professional Track and capstone requirements after completing the core. First semester students are encouraged to take:
*There are two required economics courses:
*ECON-603 is waived for students who pass the SIS Economics Placement Exam. If ECON-603 is waived, the degree is reduced from 42 credits to 39. Visit the SIS Graduate Advising website for more information regarding the SIS Economics Placement Exam.
Dani Hix is the academic advisor for ID
First semester students in the International Economic Relations program are encouraged to take:
When selecting an economics course, please note that all IER students must complete SIS-616 International Economics. SIS-616 requires prior experience with micro- and macroeconomics. Students must either pass the SIS Economics Placement Exam or complete ECON-603 Introduction to Economic Theory prior to taking SIS-616. Visit the SIS Graduate Advising website for more information regarding the SIS Economics Placement Exam.
2. One research and professional methods course
Students with a background in statistics are encouraged to take ECON-623 Applied Econometrics I. Students with limited statistics experience should consider SIS-600 International Affairs Stats and Methods.
3. A concentration course
In selecting a concentration course, students are encouraged to review the back of the IER Advising Worksheet and discuss their selection with their academic advisor.
Please review the schedule of classes for course prerequisites. If a course has a prerequisite, please contact your academic advisor to discuss the requirement.
Students pursuing the Quantitative Methods track should consult with their academic advisor when planning their course schedule.
Melanie Brisse is the academic advisor for the IER program.
First semester students in the International Peace and Conflict Resolution program are encouraged to take:
Students pursuing a dual-degree between IPCR and the Master of Arts in Teaching or the Master of Theological Studies should consult with their academic advisor when planning their course schedule.
Heidi Holland is the academic advisor for IPCR.
1L JDMA students will not begin taking courses in SIS until their 2L year. 2L and 3L JDMA students should contact their academic advisor, Jessica MacArthur, for registration suggestions.
Students beginning the Master of International Service Executive degree program (MIS) in the spring semester are strongly recommended to take:
Mary Curby is the academic advisor for MIS.
Students in the Master of International Service degree program following the International Studies Track for students from international partner institutions should register for three courses in their first semester:
An Economics course, if required (see admissions letter for more information). Chosen from the approved economics courses on the MIS:IST advising worksheet.
2. Two - three concentration courses (depending on required courses listed above). Concentration courses may be chosen from any of the SIS graduate offerings depending upon the student’s individual interests and training needs. A list of suggested concentrations can be found on the back page of the MIS:IST advising worksheet.
Depending upon the number of credits of Advanced Standing awarded upon admission and whether a student is required to take an economics and/or methods course, students take between 9 and 15 credit hours in the concentration. *Skills institutes may only be taken toward the concentration if the student will take greater than 9 credits in their concentration.
Melanie Brisse is the academic advisor for MIS:IST.
THE NRSD program does not admit students for the spring start.
Marley Crutcher is the academic advisor for NRSD.
First semester students in the Peacebuilding certificate program are encouraged to discuss course selections with the certificate academic advisor, Heidi Holland.
First-semester students in the United States Foreign Policy and National Security program are encouraged to take:
When selecting an economics course, please note that all USFP students must complete SIS-616 International Economics, SIS-652 Intro to Environmental Economics, or SIS-731 Economic Development. Most students will also need to take ECON-603 Introduction to Economic Theory prior to taking SIS-616, SIS-652, or SIS-731. For students with strong backgrounds in economics, ECON-603 can be waived by passing the SIS Economics Placement Exam. Visit the SIS Graduate Advising website for more information regarding the SIS Economics Placement Exam.
Melanie Brisse is the academic advisor for USFP.